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Policy Insights

Researchers and collaboration partners of Population Europe as well as eminent experts from leading organisations contribute to the debate on demographic developments that are of public interest by providing insights into pressing policy issues.

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The school of athens by Raffael
Social norms and cultural factors highly influence the creation of policy. But how can policies consider this influence effectively? In our workshop on Cultural Demography on April 30, 2025, we address this question. Vanessa di Lego, Professor of Demography speaks at this event and kindly answers some of the most central questions in advance.

Social norms and cultural factors highly influence the creation of policy. But how can policies consider this influence effectively? In our workshop on Cultural Demography on April 30, 2025, we address this question. Vanessa di Lego, Professor of Demography speaks at this event and kindly answers some of the most central questions in advance. 

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people around a table working with various computer devices
How to solve European labour market problems for the long-run? This requires varied strategies, as the challenges are country specific. However, policies that reactivate the working-age population and keep early retirees partially active for longer are general approachs that will enable more sustainable workforces.

How to solve European labour market problems for the long-run? This requires varied strategies, as the challenges are country specific. However, policies that reactivate the working-age population and keep early retirees partially active for longer are general approachs that will enable more sustainable workforces. 

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German Bundestag
In this Interview, Claudia Neu shares her thoughts on what we can learn from a demographic perspective about the outcome of this last German federal election.

In this Interview, Claudia Neu shares her thoughts on what we can learn from a demographic perspective about the outcome of this last German federal election.

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Two people, possibly a couple, looking worriedly at a calculator
Data show that young Europeans today start fewer lasting and committed relationships than younger people did in the past. This has considerable implications for health and well-being, as well as birth rates.

Young Europeans today start fewer lasting and committed relationships. This has considerable implications for health and well-being. Our expert Anna Rotkirch suggests a policy response.

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pavel_danilyuk
Achieving equal educational opportunities for all in Europe remains a complex challenge. Recent research conducted at the Mapineq project sheds light on the interplay of social, economic, and geographical factors influencing access to higher education.

Achieving equal educational opportunities for all in Europe remains a complex challenge. Recent research conducted at the Mapineq project sheds light on the interplay of social, economic, and geographical factors influencing access to higher education. 

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Younger neighbour brings groceries to an older neighbour's door
Over the next decades, Europe’s age structure will change immensely – in particular, the number of older people will grow. This will be felt first on the local level: in Europe’s regions and communities. How can they respond, quickly and effectively? This Briefing presents recommendations from high-level European policy experts who have taken part in the FutuRes Policy Lab.

Demographic change is felt first on the local level: in Europe’s regions and communities. How can they respond, quickly and effectively? This Briefing presents recommendations from high-level European policy experts.

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KaiqueRocha
Does cleaner air improve student performance? A new study on Madrid’s low emission zone finds better air quality led to higher exam scores, but the recent rollback of the policy raises questions about what’s next.

Does cleaner air improve student performance? A new study on Madrid’s low emission zone finds better air quality led to higher exam scores, but the recent rollback of the policy raises questions about what’s next.

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 Begegnungsstätte Balow © Tobias Bringmann
Despite limited resources and investment in infrastructure, many communities find innovative ways to sustain public life and integrate newcomers. This new policy insight highlights the need for more social spaces, partnerships between civil society, local administrations, and private enterprises, and intergenerational collaboration to tackle future challenges, including integration.

Despite limited resources and investment in infrastructure, many communities find innovative ways to sustain public life and integrate newcomers. This new policy insight highlights the need for more social spaces, partnerships between civil society, local administrations, and private enterprises, and intergenerational collaboration to tackle future challenges, including integration.

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 Begegnungsstätte Balow © Tobias Bringmann
Trotz begrenzter Ressourcen und eingeschränkten Investitionen in die Infrastruktur finden viele Gemeinden innovative Wege, das öffentliche Leben aufrechtzuerhalten und Neuankömmlinge zu integrieren. Diese neue Policy Insight betont die Notwendigkeit von mehr sozialen Begegnungsräumen, Partnerschaften zwischen Zivilgesellschaft, Kommunalverwaltungen und Unternehmen sowie intergenerationeller Zusammenarbeit, um zukünftige Herausforderungen, einschließlich Integration, anzugehen.

Trotz begrenzter Ressourcen und eingeschränkten Investitionen in die Infrastruktur finden viele Gemeinden innovative Wege, das öffentliche Leben aufrechtzuerhalten und Neuankömmlinge zu integrieren. Diese neue Policy Insight betont die Notwendigkeit von mehr sozialen Begegnungsräumen, Partnerschaften zwischen Zivilgesellschaft, Kommunalverwaltungen und Unternehmen sowie intergenerationeller Zusammenarbeit, um zukünftige Herausforderungen, einschließlich Integration, anzugehen.

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Liza Summer
Can we truly balance work and life? “Work-life balance" dominates discussions about modern living, but the concept was flawed from the start. Its implications for family life and fertility are worrying. Time for it to be replaced.

Can we truly balance work and life? “Work-life balance" dominates discussions about modern living, but the concept was flawed from the start. Its implications for family life and fertility are worrying. Time for it to be replaced.